The successful “greening” of Zamboanga City’s watershed on July 27-28, 2012 by ZCWD is running on its second year with the planting of 1,500 dipterocarp trees seedlings of Bagtikan and Mayapis species on the area that was used for kaingin at Sitio Sta. Clara in Cabonegro, part of the protected area zone of Pasonanca Natural Park.

The newly planted trees are part of the total targeted seedlings of 30,000 for this year. As of July 2012, a total of 17,500 trees have already been planted in different areas of the watershed. The endemic species introduced were composed of one-year old seedlings of 0.6meter to 1 meter in height that will eventually develop as natural forest cover in the areas, thus regenerating the watershed. The seedling materials came from nurseries managed by the water district.

A total of 100 office employees took part in the tree planting activity which was in line with EO No. 26, “The National Greening Program of the Philippines”. Implementing the greening program inside Zamboanga’s watershed, not only increases the water yield of existing springs inside the forest but also returns natural biodiversity condition with the planting of more species endemic to the areas. Presently, 80% of ZCWD’s water sources comes from surface water.

For the past few years ZCWD, in coordination with Department of Agriculture (DA), Fiber Industry Development Authority( FIDA)and DENR, has also conducted Information Education Campaign (IEC) for settlers inside the watershed, as well as those living in buffer zone areas. Settlers were taught and encouraged to pursue planting of high value crops like durian trees, lettuce and abaca aside from the common rotational crops like tomatoes and bell peppers as a means of livelihood, instead of going into logging activities. Community involvement is highly encouraged by the water district in order for the greening program’s sustainability mechanism to succeed.